Las Vegas Welcomes New Era: Tropicana’s Sunset Ushers in MLB’s Radiant Dawn

Historic Tropicana Makes Way for State-of-the-Art Baseball Stadium, Amplifying Vegas’ Sporting Prestige.

Las Vegas, NV — 08/30/2023-In a city renowned for its rapid evolution and extravagant metamorphoses, the Las Vegas Strip is set to undergo one of its most iconic transformations. The luminous and storied Tropicana Las Vegas, a veritable beacon of the city’s glamorous past, is set to make way for the future—a state-of-the-art Major League Baseball ballpark.

In an ambitious venture, the custodians of the Tropicana site, Bally’s Corp., in collaboration with the real estate giant Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. (GLPI) and the formidable Oakland Athletics, have carved out an agreement that promises to change the landscape of the city, both literally and metaphorically. The ballpark is earmarked to span approximately nine acres of the Tropicana’s 35-acre expanse, positioned strategically at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. Designed to be an architectural marvel, the ballpark will feature a cutting-edge retractable roof, ensuring that 30,000-plus baseball aficionados can enjoy the game come rain or shine.

The Tropicana’s legacy is undeniable. As one of the Las Vegas Strip’s pioneering establishments, its impending demolition might bring a nostalgic tear to many an eye. However, in its place, Bally’s Corp. has grand plans. The Tropicana’s successor is slated to be a lavish 1,500-room hotel-casino, placed strategically opposite the ballpark, ensuring that the synergy between sport and luxury entertainment remains uninterrupted.

Bally’s Corp.’s official statement resonates with the excitement and honor they feel at this collaboration, viewing the venture as a golden opportunity to introduce Major League Baseball to the vibrant tapestry of Las Vegas. The ballpark isn’t just a playground for athletes; it’s envisioned as a nucleus for further development. The location’s prime positioning offers unparalleled potential for iconic global brands to form alliances, positioning themselves at one of the nation’s busiest crossroads.

The legislation and Major League Baseball have given their approval. However, like any major endeavor, there are certain protocols to follow. The project’s commencement is contingent upon legislative consent, and the move of the Oakland Athletics requires the endorsement of Major League Baseball.

Bally’s acquisition of the Tropicana Las Vegas from GLPI in September 2022 marked the beginning of this visionary journey. As part of the acquisition, Bally’s took on the lease for the land underlying the hotel from GLPI, with the property being a gem in the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio.

In the backdrop of such significant changes, one is reminded of the Las Vegas Strip’s innate ability to adapt and reinvent. The looming absence of establishments like the Hawaiian Marketplace, which closed its doors in 2022, and the shift in land use from motels and gift shops to grander ventures is a testament to the Strip’s evolution. It underscores the preciousness of space in this 4.2 square mile wonderland, where innovation is the only constant.

Similarly, the Hard Rock International’s decision to replace the Mirage Volcano with its signature Guitar Hotel underlines the city’s drive for reinvention. The sacrifice of iconic structures is sometimes the price of progress, as the overarching vision demands.

Bally’s Corp. and the Oakland Athletics face a parallel challenge. For their majestic stadium to rise, the venerable Tropicana must bid adieu. With discussions underway and a timeline slowly emerging from official statements, it appears the Tropicana’s sun may set soon. However, as the curtain falls on one era, dawn breaks on another—with promises of baseball cheers echoing through the heart of Las Vegas by 2028.

In a city that never truly sleeps, the Las Vegas Strip prepares to dream anew.